FIGURE 7:
Vezatin is required to maintain synapses in adult mice. (A) Diaphragm muscles from P180 veztF/+ and veztF/−; hsa::cre mice were stained with Alexa 594–conjugated α-BGT, β-tubulin, and synapsin to visualize AChRs (red) and axons and nerve terminals (green). Three characteristics of synaptic deterioration were apparent in veztF/−; hsa::cre mice. (B) In veztF/−; hsa::cre mice, the frequency of synaptic fragmentation, axonal dystrophy, and thin axons were increased. Arrowheads indicate either axonal swellings or thin axons. Scale bar = 20 µm. Error bars indicate SEM. Values were obtained from n = 3 mice (n = 140 synapses for veztF/+ and n = 165 synapses for veztF/−; hsa::cre), and p values were calculated using an unpaired t test (****, p < 0.00005).